My eyes widened a bit late last week when I saw in the DC Register news that the "Ballpark Public Safety Amendment Act" had been introduced at the City Council's January 8th meeting. What tidbits could I find in this, I thought as I scrambled to find a copy of the bill (my District Extra column makes me a lot more desperate for content than you might imagine).

I found someone to send me a copy, I opened it up.... And found that it basically does nothing more than add ", the Ballpark as defined by D.C. Official Code ' 47-2002.05(a)(1)(A)," to four existing laws about various public safety issues so that the new ballpark is covered the way RFK and the Armory are.

But, for the record, here's what this new bill allows for:

* Police will be able to erect barriers to direct the flow of traffic or to keep the public out during riots or other emergencies;

* No one can bring disposable beverage containers into the ballpark (unless they're vendors);

* Unauthorized entry onto the stadium playing field is prohibited; and

* The ballpark is exempted from DC's law prohibiting smoking in public places (as RFK and the Armory are already exempted).

There will be a hearing on this earthshattering legislation on February 7 at 10 am by Phil Mendelson's Committee on Public Safety and the Judiciary.|

UPDATE: No, I don't know how the "disposable beverage container" law is interpreted. I heard at an ANC meeting that containers at the new ballpark would be handled the same way they were at RFK--but I'm not familiar enough with how that worked to weigh in on what it means.

can you get someone to verify that "no disposable beverage containers" line? what about nalgene bottles and the like? from my non-attorney standpoint, i would say that they're not covered by this rule, and are thereby permitted. what do you think?

JD says: (1/23/08 3:33 PM)However it was handled at RFK is how it's going to be handled at the new ballpark. Beyond that, I'm not going to try to interpret the law as to what sort of bottles, etc., since I'm just not familiar with how it was enforced at RFK. Perhaps some RFK-goers can weigh in on what was allowed and wasn't allowed in previous seasons.

Carl A. Herrin says: (1/23/08 10:25 PM)I'm disappointed to see that the no-smoking ban is to be lifted for the ballpark. I was so looking forward to a completely smoke-free setting after putting up with smokers in the concourses at RFK.

BC says: (1/24/08 1:51 PM)I am happy that smoking will be allowed at the ballpark. Even though I am not a smoker, I don't like the thought of forcing other people to be like me. As a beer lover, I would hate to see a beer ban at the stadium even thought I am sure that many out there would like a beer ban.

John says: (1/27/08 10:20 PM)At RFK you were allowing to bring in a sealed store-bought water bottle, didn't matter what size. You were not allowed to bring in any other beverages. You were also allowed to bring in outside food items. I hope that will stay the same. Eating stadium food all Summer can get really expensive really quick, not to mention unhealthy and will be really tough for us season ticket holders.

alterations to an existing 688 SF vacant space to add mechanical, plumbing and electrical fixtures to accommodate a future tenant. Future tenant fit out will be provided under a separate permit. This permit is for the landlord work only. The existing space is recently constructed building shell that has not been occupied by a previous tenant.

Yards Parcel L-2. Afterhours permit for the purpose of dismantling the tower crane on private
property. Work to take place Friday, 2 / 8 / 19 and Saturday 2 / 9 / 19 between 7pm-10pm as well as Sunday, 2 / 10 / 19 between 10am-7pm.